Inchcape Shipping Services Holdings Limited (Inchcape) has signed an agreement to acquire Kennedy Hunter NV from Conti-Lines Group (formerly Conti7).
The acquisition of Kennedy Hunter NV delivers England-based Inchcape’s strategic ambition to grow in the Northern European market and will greatly increase its coverage and expertise in Belgium, where Kennedy Hunter NV is based.
The purchase will allow Inchcape to build its focus on Dry Bulk, Car Carrier/RoRo handling and cargo brokerage.
Inchcape Belgium provides a diverse range of maritime services including port agency, husbandry, crew logistics services, ship chandelling, bunker fuel supply arrangement, liner agency, logistics services to oil and gas, construction, dredging, cable-laying, cruise tourism and other sectors, military support services and maritime consultancy.
“We are excited about welcoming the Kennedy Hunter team into the Inchcape family, by joining forces we are able to offer an even better value proposition to our customers in Belgium,” said Frank G. Olsen, CEO of Inchcape Shipping Services.
“This is our first acquisition under the ownership of Epiris and it demonstrates our intention and ability to drive positive consolidation within the Port Agency industry.“
Jean-Frédéric Brion, CEO of the Conti-Lines Group, added: “Over the last years, the Conti-Lines Group has progressively evolved into the direction of Shipowner and Ship’s Operator activities, a maritime segment that in the meantime has become the Group’s core business.
“Therefore, the decision was taken to transfer the ownership of the agency set-up Kennedy Hunter from the Conti-Lines Group to Inchcape.
“By choosing Inchcape, a solid organisation specialising in agency activities, Kennedy Hunter is left in professional and qualified hands, thereby safeguarding the authenticity and continuity of the company.
Conti-Lines will continue to entrust its agency activities in all Belgian ports to Kennedy Hunter.
